Dec 20: Gary Kirsten is likely to return to the Indian Premier League next season for a second stint and this time with Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Kirsten may join the RCB team management in the capacity of a batting coach.
The former South African batsman and India coach in his first stint had coached Delhi Daredevils for two seasons in 2014 and 2015. Kirsten had signed a three-year contract but was removed on after two season after the Daredevils finished seventh and eighth respectively.
Kirsten had coached India from 2008 to 2011 and finished a successful tenure with the World Cup triumph in 2011. In three years at the helm, Kirsten led India to series wins over Australia and England before drawing a Test series in South Africa. India had also reached on top of the Test rankings with Kirsten as coach.
He also coached South Africa to number one in the ICC's Test rankings before a stint with the Delhi Daredevils.
In RCB's coaching team, Kirsten will join the likes of Daniel Vettori, who is set to be retained by the franchise.
The 50-year-old Kirsten is also making his debut in the Big Bash League 2017-18 season at Hobart Hurricanes. He replaced Damien Wright, who quit after Hurrcanes finished second last in the 2016-17 BBL season.
The Hurricanes have failed to reach the semi-finals of the eight-team BBL since losing in the final three years ago.
The franchise is also expected to retain captain Virat Kohli, currently the best player on the planet, AB de Villiers and leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal.
Despite a star power in their ranks, RCB have never won the cash-rich T20 league. However, they have twice reached the final in 2009 and 2016.
After riding high on Kohli's sensational 973 runs in the 2016 campaign, RCB finished bottom of the table managing to win only three out of 14 contested matches.
Comments
Add new comment